The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (February 19) said that a kind of bottled pesto manufactured in Italy might contain an allergen, peanuts, while two kinds of prepackaged spring roll pastry manufactured in Singapore might contain an allergen, milk, but they were not declared on the products' food labels. Consumers who are allergic to peanuts or milk are advised not to consume the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the products concerned immediately.

"The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice issued by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand that the abovementioned pesto product might contain peanuts, and that there were notices issued by the Food Standards Agency of the United Kingdom and Singapore Food Agency that certain kinds of spring roll pastry products (including the abovementioned two products) might contain milk. However, the ingredients were not declared on the food labels of the products concerned and they are under recall," a spokesman for the CFS said.

Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately followed up with major local importers and retailers. Preliminary investigations revealed that a distributor, Wilson International Frozen Foods (HK) Limited had imported some of the abovementioned affected pesto product which had been distributed to various retail shops, while the Dairy Farm Company Limited and Dah Chong Hong Limited had imported the abovementioned two affected spring roll pastry products which were on sale in their retail outlets. The importers concerned had stopped sale and removed from shelves the affected products and initiated a recall according to CFS' instructions. Enquiries about the recalls can be made to Wilson International Frozen Foods (HK) Limited (3678 0715), the Dairy Farm Company Limited (2299 1133), and Dah Chong Hong Limited (2216 8016) during office hours.

"Peanuts are a known food allergen. Those who are allergic to it may develop symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma and rash upon consumption. In severe cases anaphylactic shock may even develop," the spokesman said.

"People who are allergic to milk may have immunologic response like vomiting, diarrhoea and rash upon consumption of food containing this allergen. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may even develop. As for other members of the public, generally speaking, they would not be subject to such reactions when the food in question is consumed," he added.

The spokesman advised consumers who are allergic to peanuts or milk not to consume the products concerned. Those who feel unwell after consuming them should seek medical treatment.

The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap 132W) require that all prepackaged food for sale in Hong Kong should list out the food's ingredients in its label. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment.

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.